2013 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid, the other green compact VW sedan

2 of 4Unlike the old Jetta Trek edition, the bike isn't included. At least, it isn't as of this writing.

Photo by Davey G. Johnson

3 of 4The requisite "HYBRID" badging is included.

Photo by Davey G. Johnson

4 of 4In lieu of a tach, the Jetta Hybrid gets a consumption/regeneration gauge.

Photo by Davey G. Johnson

While Volkswagen's diesel models have long been the choice of economy-minded enthusiasts--our own Andy Stoy recently picked up a TDI SportWagen, and a recent quick spin in the upcoming Beetle TDI proved to be an absolute hoot--some simply can't jam econo without flashing a badge displaying their green cred to the most myopic of bystanders. There's also a whole subset of people that just really enjoys playing with regenerative brakes. They will not be ignored. With the introduction of the Jetta hybrid, following on the heels of the supercharged Touareg hybrid, the obsessive gauge watchers and hypermilers now have one less thing to grouse about.

Motivated to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds by a 150-hp, 1.4-liter turbo four and a 27-hp electric motor juiced by a 1.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the compact sedan's combined mileage will come in at 45 mpg, according to Volkswagen. The company also touts the first use of a twin-clutch automatic gearbox in a hybrid vehicle. You may recall that we first saw a manual-trans hybrid in the form of the Honda CR-Z.

Dynamically, the battery-assisted Jetta should be closer in temperament to the 2.5 or the TDI than the GLI, as it retains the former two cars' twist-beam rear axle rather than the latter's sport-minded independent setup. Even with the lower-spec suspension, however, it should be more fun to drive than a Toyota Prius.

Pizzazz and zip aside, it's not likely to pull too many Toyota people from the fold, as Volkswagen expects only about a 5 percent take rate for the hybrid. Still, to hit the oft-mentioned target of 800,000 vehicles sold in the United States by 2018, Volkswagen needs to be more things to more people. In that regard, this new Jetta is an important piece of the puzzle. We'll see it in showrooms later this year.